ExxonMobil to fund training program for Houston chemical industry jobs

The initiative will build on the success of the nationally-recognized ExxonMobil process technology program at Lee College and will benefit 50,000 students and educators over the next five years.

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ExxonMobil will fund a $500,000 workforce training program to
enable Houstons leading community colleges to prepare
local residents for jobs in the regional chemical industry, the
company said on Friday.

The initiative will build on the success of the
nationally-recognized ExxonMobil process technology program at Lee
College and will benefit 50,000 students and educators over the
next five years, according to ExxonMobil officials.

The company says it has contributed more than $2.6 million over
the past 10 years to manufacturing workforce training
initiatives across the US Gulf Coast area, impacting more than
15,000 students in the region.

Lee College will work with Houston Community College, Lone Star
College, San Jacinto Junior College, Alvin Community College,
Wharton County Junior College, Brazosport College, Galveston
College and College of the Mainland to train students seeking
certification or completion of degree programs for
instrumentation, electrical, machinist/millwright, welding,
pipefitting and other skills and competencies needed by the
industry.

There are also future plans to include area high schools in the
program, which will provide training that aligns with skills
and competencies defined by industry, as well as nationally
recognized certification programs.

The chemical industry supports 73,000 high-paying Texas
manufacturing jobs and will add more under announced expansion plans by industry,
including ExxonMobil, said Steve Pryor, president
of ExxonMobil Chemical.

Our industry has made Texas the top chemical producing
state in the nation, driven in large part by abundant and
affordable supplies of natural gas for energy and feedstock. We contribute to a strong
economy for Houston and the state.

ExxonMobil is awaiting construction permits to progress
plans for its major petrochemicalexpansion in Baytown. The
multi-billion dollar project would include a new ethane
cracker and premium product facilities at ExxonMobils
integrated complex and capitalize on abundant supplies of
American natural gas.

If developed, the project is estimated to create about
10,000 construction jobs and 350 permanent
jobs would be added to the companys workforce of more
than 6,000 in the Baytown area. The estimated multiplier effect
would create another 3,800 jobs in the local community.

At the announcement Friday at the Greater Houston Partnership,
state Sen. Rodney Ellis said the proposed petrochemicalexpansions will require highly
skilled workers.

The jobs that will become available in our area over the
next decade represent a life-changing opportunity for many in
our community, said Ellis. With the average annual
salary in the Texas chemical industry at $86,000, this landmark
partnership among our schools, business community and
ExxonMobil can help make the dream of economic independence
come true for a lot of families.

The Lee College Center for Workforce and Community Development
will implement the program to educate qualified students to
meet the industry's current and future workforce needs.
Marketing and recruiting to technical programs that support petrochemical workforce needs will
increase, including targeting military veterans through
existing programs at these community colleges.

Prospective students can enroll at the campus of their choice
for classroom instruction, dual-credit courses, internships,
certificate programs and two-year degrees. More information is
available at www.HoustonNaturalGas.com.

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